Lobby makes demands on gas emissions

An environmental lobby group has challenged the National Environment Management Agency (Nema) and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) to force car franchises to declare their levels of carbon emissions.

Centre for Climate Change Awareness (C4CCA) has written to the two State agencies asking them to compel Volkswagen (VW) and other motor vehicles local franchises to declare their levels of emission for cars they have imported into the country since 2009.

Studies conducted by scientists have shown that emissions from such vehicles are harmful to humans, with direct and indirect consequences such as deaths due to excess Nitrogen Oxide content, spread of respiratory problems like Asthma, Bronchitis and Emphysema, and contribution to acid rain and smog.

Through Guandaru Thuita and Company Advocates, C4CCA asked Nema and Kebs to direct the dealers to also declare whether they were previously aware of the devices that falsified pollution tests on diesel engine vehicles. C4CCA Executive Director Stephen Ndegwa said the scandal cannot be ignored.